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Category: MAM

  • Sehgal outlines Prasar Bharati’s future at IAA industry meet in Mumbai

    Sehgal outlines Prasar Bharati’s future at IAA industry meet in Mumbai

    MUMBAI: From Agra expressways to All India Radio, Navneet Sehgal’s media journey has had one goal, reaching Bharat, better. At the latest edition of IAA Conversations, hosted by the India Chapter of the International Advertising Association (IAA) in partnership with The Free Press Journal, the spotlight fell on Prasar Bharati, chairman Navneet Kumar Sehgal in an engaging tête-à-tête with Groupm COO for South Asia Ashwin Padmanabhan.

    Held at Mumbai’s Taj Lands End, the session welcomed a full house of brand custodians, agency leaders, and media professionals, reflecting the industry’s growing interest in public service media’s evolution.

    IAA India chapter president Abhishek Karnani kicked off the evening by reaffirming the IAA’s 2025 focus “Conversations, Skilling, and Artificial Intelligence” as tools to futureproof the communication ecosystem.

    Described as a legacy administrator with a media mission, Sehgal spoke candidly about navigating the dual identity of Prasar Bharati, a half-government, half-autonomous behemoth with unmatched rural reach and new-age ambitions.

    “With over 1000 transmitters, 36 plus TV channels, and 58 radio stations, our footprint is vast. But our challenge now is agility and relevance,” Sehgal said.

    Some of the initiatives he outlined include, Building a robust OTT platform that unifies live TV, radio, e-commerce, and digital-first content. Launching direct-to-mobile TV broadcasting that bypasses internet requirements. Investing in creator and youth ecosystems through initiatives like Waves, a content summit kickstarted by the prime minister.

    Ashwin Padmanabhan noted that under Sehgal’s leadership, Prasar Bharati had become remarkably collaborative, inviting participation from advertisers, influencers, and platforms alike.

    “This is not a closed-door legacy broadcaster anymore,” he said. “It’s a space where creators can experiment, and brands can build authentic Tier 2 and Tier 3 engagement.”

    Sehgal recounted a memorable storytelling project with Big FM and Nilesh Mishra that used emotion, not explanation, to communicate government schemes. “A good ad commercial or social moves people to act. That’s the power of public storytelling,” he said.

    He emphasised that while public service media often carries the weight of bureaucracy, its evolution must be people-first. “We are not just public. We are people-first. And to stay people-first, we must constantly innovate.”

    The evening closed on a high note, with warm appreciation from the audience, which included advertising veterans, brand marketers, and digital leaders. Special thanks were extended to the IAA team, including Rahul and Heta, for curating a conversation that was more than just a fireside chat, it was a call to reimagine public media for a new India.

    As Sehgal quipped with a smile, “Legacy is not a burden, it’s the launchpad.”

  • Hong Kong storms to third in global competitiveness rankings

    Hong Kong storms to third in global competitiveness rankings

    MUMBAI: Hong Kong has ascended to the third spot in the world’s most competitive economies, according to the World Competitiveness Yearbook 2025 (WCY 2025) published by the Swiss-based International Institute for Management Development (IMD). This marks the second consecutive year the city has climbed two places, reaching its highest ranking since 2019 among the 69 assessed economies.

    The IMD report highlights Hong Kong’s gains across all four key factors of competitiveness: “government efficiency” (second), “business efficiency” (second), “economic performance” (sixth), and “infrastructure” (seventh). This broad-based improvement underscores Hong Kong’s effective strategy in attracting private sector investment.

    Chief executive John Lee affirmed the positive trajectory, stating, “The World Competitiveness Yearbook shows that Hong Kong’s scores in overall terms and in many areas have improved, indicating that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government’s policy directions are on the right course and that various policies have yielded results.” Hong Kong has consistently ranked among the top 10 globally for over two decades, since the WCY 2003.

    Lee further emphasised the city’s “world-class business environment,” citing the rule of law, independent judiciary, a simple and low-tax regime, efficient markets, a robust financial system, and the free flow of capital, information, goods, and talent as key strengths recognised by the business community.

    Despite global economic uncertainties and geopolitical turbulence, Hong Kong recorded solid year-on-year GDP growth of 3.1 per cent in the first quarter of 2025, with full-year GDP growth anticipated to be between 2 per cent and 3 per cent.

    The city saw a record 145,053 new local companies registered under the Companies Ordinance last year, bringing the total to an unprecedented 1,460,494 by the end of 2024. Additionally, 1,079 new non-Hong Kong companies were registered, pushing that total to an all-time high of 15,126.

    Lee reiterated Hong Kong’s unique “one country, two systems” advantages, positioning it as a “super-connector” and “super value-adder.” He affirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening international exchanges, expanding regional trade, and exploring new markets to foster a vibrant economy and improve livelihoods.

    To further bolster its appeal, the government recently launched new legislation for company re-domiciliation, providing a streamlined mechanism for companies to relocate to Hong Kong. Already, two major insurance companies, AXA Hong Kong and Macau and Manulife (International) Limited, have announced plans to re-domicile under the new regime, pending regulatory approvals.

    Hong Kong is actively pursuing reforms to solidify its standing as an international financial, trade, and shipping hub. The Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises has successfully drawn over 80 strategic enterprises, projected to bring in HK$50 billion in investments and create more than 20,000 jobs.

    Among the WCY 2025 sub-factors, Hong Kong secured top positions in “tax policy” and “business legislation,” and ranked second in “education,” “international investment,” and “finance.”

    As a top-three global financial centre, Hong Kong’s stock exchange remains a vital indicator of market performance. By May 30, 2025, stock market capitalisation had surged by 24 per cent year-on-year to over $5.2 trillion. The Hong Kong Stock Exchange has also emerged as a leader among major global exchanges in initial public offerings (IPOs), with total funds raised nearing HK$79 billion ($10.12 billion) so far this year.

  • Film Gate opens AI-fuelled VFX division at Yas Island to rewrite the future of cinema

    Film Gate opens AI-fuelled VFX division at Yas Island to rewrite the future of cinema

    MUMBAI: Abu Dhabi’s storytelling game just received a high-tech upgrade. Film Gate, a rising player in the MENA region’s media infrastructure, has launched a new visual effects and film technology division at Yas Island’s twofour54. And it’s not just about flashy post-production. This new unit wants to hardwire artificial intelligence into every reel.

    The launch marks a major leap in Film Gate’s journey, with chairman Mansoor Alyabhouni Aldhaheri steering the ship. “The inclusion of AI in our workflow is not simply about innovation – it’s about making production more agile, more accessible, and globally competitive”, Aldhaheri said.

    The initiative brings together a powerful cross-continental collaboration. UK-based Do It Creative Ltd and Big Films Media have joined hands with Film Gate to integrate cutting-edge AI and VFX workflows into content creation. Among the standout tools in their arsenal is Dsync, Do It Creative’s proprietary multilingual lip synchronisation tech, which has already made its mark in a recent awareness campaign. The system uses AI to produce seamless lip-syncing across languages, cutting both dubbing costs and corners.

    Award-winning VFX director and Big Films Media producer Sam Bhattacharjee joins the team to elevate Abu Dhabi’s media output. “Technologies like Dsync allow us to explore new boundaries in storytelling and localisation”, Bhattacharjee said. “Abu Dhabi is leading the way in bringing technology and cinema together”.

    From high-budget features and commercials to educational content, the new division aims to offer full-cycle services. And it’s not only about global expansion-local capacity building remains at the heart of the venture.

    The announcement follows Abu Dhabi’s recent global first of offering Chatgpt access to all UAE citizens, making the emirate a beacon for digital innovation. Film Gate’s latest launch taps directly into that tech-forward momentum.

    “This is only the beginning”, Aldhaheri noted. “We have a strong pipeline of forward-looking projects, and this collaboration allows us to deliver high-quality content while building local capabilities”.
     

  • Bajaj Markets plugs into ONDC to power up shopping plus finance

    Bajaj Markets plugs into ONDC to power up shopping plus finance

    MUMBAI: From EMI dreams to LED screens Bajaj Markets just got an e-commerce upgrade. In a move that fuses fintech with fridge-shopping, Bajaj Markets, part of Bajaj Finserv Ltd. has officially joined hands with the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC). This integration transforms Bajaj Markets into a buyer-side participant on the ONDC network, allowing its users to shop for over 1.5 lakh premium electronics and appliances directly through the Bajaj Markets App and website alongside its existing suite of 140 plus financial products.

    With this upgrade, the platform becomes more than just a place to compare credit cards or apply for a loan. Now, users can pick up an air fryer, finance it with a few clicks, and still have enough bandwidth left to explore insurance or investment options all under one digital roof.

    “With 90 plus partners, 140 plus financial products, and over 16 million users, this is our next leap in enabling smarter consumer journeys,” said Bajaj Finserv Direct Ltd MD & CEO Ashish Panchal. “By integrating with ONDC, we’re not just enhancing choice, we’re accelerating India’s digital public infrastructure to reimagine commerce.”

    ONDC’s Acting CEO and COO Vibhor Jain echoed the sentiment, calling the partnership a “redefinition of how financial services and commerce intersect.” The move, he added, leverages Bajaj Markets’ deep credit intelligence and ONDC’s open network philosophy to empower consumers with greater flexibility, smarter financing, and stronger financial planning tools.

    Founded to simplify access to financial services, Bajaj Markets has grown into one of India’s largest digital marketplaces, connecting customers with leading banks and NBFCs. The tie-up with ONDC now adds another layer trusted commerce.

    For India’s increasingly digital-first consumers, that means everything from choosing a washing machine to applying for personal loans could soon be part of the same scroll.

    One platform. Many needs. Fully financed.

  • Cannes gets a WIN-dow to the future of creativity and inclusion

    Cannes gets a WIN-dow to the future of creativity and inclusion

    MUMBAI: The Women Inspiring Network (WIN) turned up the volume at Cannes 2025 with its buzzing #WINLounge, a high-energy hub at Hotel Martinez that celebrated diversity, daring ideas and disruptive conversations. With over 50 speakers from more than 20 countries, the event proved WIN isn’t here to whisper—it’s here to roar.

    WIN’s golden moment? Anupama Ramaswamy, chief creative officer at Havas Worldwide India CCO Anupama Ramaswamy and a #WINLounge speaker, clinched India’s first Gold Cannes Lions of 2025 for Ink of Democracy. Cue the standing ovation, and a thousand proud hearts back home.

    The day-long creative jam on 18 June opened with a keynote from Bridget Evans, global head of business marketing at Spotify, and segued into 10 powerhouse panels, interactive workshops, and fireside chats featuring everyone from Snap AR’s Resh Sidhu to Vevo’s Natalie Gabathuler-Scully and TikTok-famous changemakers from across continents.

    If the agenda felt like a mixtape of the future—it was. Panels tackled themes like inclusive innovation, philanthropy 2.0, emotional branding, and the metamorphosis of marketing with AI and AR thrown into the blender. Highlights included ‘The 21st-Century Blueprint for Purpose-Driven Brand-Building’, ‘Culture is Capital’, and ‘Disrupting the Default’—each one as punchy as its title.

    WIN also turned up the heat at Spotify Beach, where its podcast platform WIN Voices spotlighted a rising tribe of African storytellers including South African media dynamo Kim Jayde, UK-Nigerian director Meji Alabi, and Kojo Marfo of My Runway Group. From Afrobeats to blockchain, these voices brought cultural currency to the Croisette.

    Speaking about Cannes 2025, Women Inspiring Network (WIN) founder Stuti Jalan remarked, “Cannes was raw, electric, and unforgettable—a melting pot of ideas, creativity, and global change makers. It was incredible to see WIN in the middle of it all. Riding this momentum, we are now gearing up for our next chapters across New York, Davos, India and other global stages.I would like to acknowledge and express gratitude for the support from our partners—Dasra, Camphouse, Masimo, and Vevo. Their belief in our mission made this powerful exchange of ideas and inspiration possible.

    Workshops kept the spark alive. Bonnie Wan’s The Life Brief helped guests craft purpose-driven roadmaps, while Leading Beyond Imposter Syndrome by Trust Your Creative was an emotional tune-up for leaders navigating uncertain terrain. In a special fireside chat, Jalan went tête-à-tête with Caspar Lee, former YouTube star turned co-founder of Influencer.com, who shared his $65 million journey from creator to VC.

    With New York, Davos and India in its crosshairs.

     

  • Libas and Zepto’s billboard chemistry is turning heads in Mumbai

    Libas and Zepto’s billboard chemistry is turning heads in Mumbai

    MUMBAI: The streets of Mumbai are heating up, and it is not because of the weather. It’s the billboards in the city turning heads, garnering attention, and sparking conversations. Libas, India’s leading ultra-fast fashion brand, and Zepto, the 10-minute delivery app, have unleashed a playful OOH (Out-Of-Home) campaign that’s got everyone doing double-takes. Blending fashion-forward wit with lightning-fast delivery, the OOH campaign reflects the spirit of spontaneity that defines the brands.

    Strategically placed in high-footfall locations like Prabhadevi, these billboards are doing more than just advertising; they’re entertaining passersby. The campaign perfectly captures the mood of today’s digital generation: quick, bold, meme-worthy.

    Libas head of marketing, Nisha Khatri said, “We wanted to have a little fun with our audience while highlighting how seamless shopping from Libas has become. Zepto’s strong logistics capabilities will help us bring our customers closer, as we strengthen our omnichannel presence. With this association, we are empowering modern Indian women with instant access to our products. And what better way to tell that story than by entertaining the entertainment capital with some good-humoured banter on billboards?

    The banter-packed campaign isn’t just fun. It is part of a larger push by Libas to expand its omnichannel presence and engage with a younger, digital-savvy audience. After all, fashion doesn’t wait, and now, neither do Libas shoppers.
     

  • Rajkummar Rao and Patralekha headline Royal Stag Barrel Select Shorts’ new campaign

    Rajkummar Rao and Patralekha headline Royal Stag Barrel Select Shorts’ new campaign

    MUMBAI: Royal Stag Barrel Select Shorts is back in the spotlight with its newest campaign, ‘For the Select Ones’, starring the discerning duo Rajkummar Rao and Patralekha. Conceptualised by FCB NEO, the sleek new film champions craft, character, and the courage to chart one’s own course — echoing the brand’s core philosophy of celebrating purposeful storytelling and refined choices.

    In a market flooded with noise, ‘For the Select Ones’ whispers a quieter truth: that greatness lies not in following the crowd, but in choosing with intent. Both on-screen and off, Rajkummar and Patralekha exemplify that ideal, having carved careers defined by depth, not dazzle.

    The campaign pays homage to artists who’ve walked the talk — past collaborators on the Barrel Select Shorts platform include cinematic heavyweights like Anurag Kashyap, Sujoy Ghosh, Neeraj Ghaywan, and Tigmanshu Dhulia. Now, with this film, the brand doubles down on its commitment to creating an ecosystem for intelligent, bold narratives that refuse to pander.

    Speaking on the campaign, Pernod Ricard India CMO Kartik Mohindra said, “Royal Stag Barrel Select Shorts has evolved into creating an ecosystem that brings world-class narratives to curious and discerning audiences, thus becoming the destination for short films in India. With our new thematic campaign, For the Select Ones, we continue this next chapter of our brand’s select storytelling journey by celebrating those who embody success through their distinct choices.”

    “This film is a quiet tribute to the art of choosing well. In a world overflowing with options, true identity is shaped by what we say no to as much as what we embrace. The process of creating this story with Rajkummar Rao and Patralekha was about capturing that subtle, internal journey, where each choice becomes a building block of a legacy. It aligns beautifully with the Royal Stag Barrel Select Shorts ethos of celebrating individuals with a refined eye and fearless vision,” expressed FCB NEO CCO Mayuresh Dubhashi.

    Sharing his thoughts, Rao said: “Over the years, I’ve learned that true success lies in staying authentic and making choices that reflect who you are at your core. Whether it’s in the characters I play or the decisions I make in life, I’ve always aimed to strike a balance between substance and intention. For the Select Ones is a powerful reflection of that mindset— valuing integrity, thoughtfulness, and individuality. I’m proud to be part of Royal Stag Barrel Select Shorts’ campaign that celebrates the strength of discerning choices.”

    Adding her perspective, Patralekha said: “Throughout my journey, I’ve always believed in carving my own path. I’ve long admired the short films from Royal Stag Barrel Select Shorts for their depth, craft, and storytelling. Their narrative closely aligns with my belief in making choices that reflect true artistic vision. I’m honoured to collaborate with a brand that champions discernment and excellence.”

    Backed by a high-voltage amplification plan, the campaign is set to inspire a generation that values thoughtful ambition — a salute to those who refuse to settle.

     

  • Home is where the heart loan is says LIC HFL in new brand campaign

    Home is where the heart loan is says LIC HFL in new brand campaign

    MUMBAI: Walls you can scribble on. A nail you can hammer in. A door that bears your name. LIC Housing Finance Limited (LIC HFL) is tugging at heartstrings with its new brand campaign, launched on its 36th Foundation Day. Titled “Apna Ghar… toh apna hi hota hai”, the campaign is a love letter to the emotional highs of homeownership, one mortgage at a time.

    The film unfolds like a photo album of real India: a birthday party in a Mumbai chawl, wall scribbles in a Chandigarh flat, DIY home décor in the South, and joyful wall painting in a Bengali household. No dramatic voiceovers, no dream homes from glossy catalogues just simple stories that show how home is more than square footage. It’s where memories are made, walls become storyboards, and every corner says “you”.

    Backed by four decades of housing India’s dreams, LIC HFL’s latest initiative celebrates that universal desi sentiment: “Kuch bhi ho, apna ghar toh apna hota hai.” LIC Housing Finance Limited, managing director & CEO Tribhuwan Adhikari calls it a reaffirmation of the trust LIC HFL has built with families across income groups and geographies over the past 36 years.

    To dial up the emotion, LIC HFL has also launched a Digital Name Plate Generator, a playful interactive feature where users can visualise their name on a front door, delivering a personalised dose of that ‘first-home’ thrill.

    The campaign not only reinforces LIC HFL’s legacy in home financing, but also shows the brand’s evolving digital-first ethos, appealing to next-gen homeowners who want both emotional and financial security under one roof.

    From loan documents to love notes on the fridge, LIC HFL’s message is simple: the joy of a home is worth every EMI.
     

  • Snitch redefines fashion emergencies with campaign that turns last-minute style into swagger

    Snitch redefines fashion emergencies with campaign that turns last-minute style into swagger

    MUMBAI: For the modern man sprinting through chaos, a last-minute meeting or unplanned Goa trip can spell disaster for wardrobe decisions. But Snitch, India’s direct-to-consumer menswear disruptor, is flipping the script. With its new campaign, ‘Last Minute? Snitch It’. the brand turns eleventh-hour dressing into a style power move—with no panic, only panache.

    The campaign a trio of slick ad films built around the brand’s signature promise: over 7,000 trendy designs delivered in under 48 hours. Each film captures relatable moments with a twist—be it a sudden client pitch, a serendipitous date confirmation, or the rare miracle of a boys’ trip plan actually taking off.

    The stars of the campaign? Three distinct archetypes. A sharp millennial battling boardroom curveballs. A gen z lad working last-minute magic before meeting his crush. And a laid-back guy who surprises his Whatsapp group with tickets to Goa. What connects them is not just speed, but the style confidence that Snitch enables at short notice.

    “With ‘Last Minute? Snitch It’, we’re owning the space our customers live in: spontaneous, always on the go, but never compromising on style,” said Snitch CMO Chetan Siyal. “This isn’t just a campaign; it’s a brand ideology. We’re redefining urgency as power, but not a panic situation. We have made an effort to translate this into videos to connect with our audience in real time”.

    The campaign, live across Youtube, Instagram, and Meta, reinforces Snitch’s position as a brand built for the fast lane. In a content-choked world where time is luxury, the brand positions its service as a clutch solution: fast delivery, bold designs, and just the right dash of swag.

    The campaign films can be viewed here:

  • Timex launches Analog Life campaign to remind India to unplug and live in the moment

    Timex launches Analog Life campaign to remind India to unplug and live in the moment

    MUMBAI: For over 170 years, Timex has kept the world ticking. But this year, the watchmaker did more than measure time-it asked India to slow down and savour it. On National Watch Day 2025, Timex India launched its ‘Analog Life | Make Time Yours’ campaign, a movement nudging the nation to disconnect from the constant ping of digital life and reconnect with presence, purpose, and personal rhythm.

    The campaign champions a strikingly simple idea: analog is not outdated, it’s intentional. With a signature call to ‘Make Time Yours’, the initiative celebrates everyday moments and urges people to live mindfully. As part of the rollout, Timex declared an ‘AnaLog-Off Day’, encouraging people to unplug, go offline, and engage in real-world connections that don’t require notifications.

    “In a world that moves faster every day, it’s easy to lose ourselves in the noise”, said Timex Group India MD Deepak Chhabra. “At Timex, we believe time is more than just minutes ticking by; it’s the essence of how we live. With the Analog Life – Make Time Yours campaign, we’re inviting people to pause, reflect, and reclaim their moments because a Timex isn’t just a watch; it’s a symbol of living with intention and presence”.

    Timex’s campaign film portrays the daily hustle with a refreshing twist—people putting down their phones, closing laptops, and embracing everyday moments with focus and joy. Rooted in the brand’s legacy of craftsmanship, the watches remain timeless companions that reflect values rather than vanity.

    By pitching analog as a conscious lifestyle choice, Timex has cleverly positioned itself not just as a timekeeper but as a lifestyle custodian in a hyperconnected age. Through its timepieces, the brand invites consumers to stop scrolling and start living.

    From its origins in 1854 to today’s digitally obsessed world, Timex continues to evolve while staying true to its essence-helping people live more authentically, one moment at a time.